Following their near-perfect performances at the recently concluded African Games qualifiers in Ghana, Nigeria’s men and women’s beach volleyball teams have qualified for the 13th African Games in Ghana, The PUNCH reports.
The 13th African Games is scheduled for March 8 to 23 in Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast in Ghana.
The pair of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa recorded a 100 per cent winning record in the women’s category beating Burkina Faso 2-0 (21-12, 21-10), Benin Republic 2-0 (21-6, 21-13) and Ivory Coast 2-0 (21-6, 21-6) to finish first position.
The pair of Hilary Simon and Obayemi Ogunshina recorded three wins against Burkina Faso 2-0 (21-15, 21-11), Togo 2-1 (15-21, 21-13, 21-13) and Ivory Coast 2-1 (16-21, 21-17, 15-13) losing to Benin Republic 2-1 (21-14, 21-23, 15-21).
The coach of the Nigeria women’s team, Kayode Ajilore, commended the resilient spirit of the players for ensuring the nation qualified for the African Games.
“I am full of joy to see that the women’s beach volleyball team has qualified for the African Games. The young girls have been able to cement their place in Zone III and I am sure with adequate preparations, they will go far,” the former beach volleyball player said.
“They played every game like their lives depended on it for survival and they eventually brought home the ticket.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the board of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation led by Musa Nimrod for making sure the dreams of the girls become reality.”
Ajilore added that the players would resume closed camp immediately to work on some lapses observed during the qualifiers.
He said, “There is no time for the players to spare. Once we arrive in Nigeria, the players will resume camp with the guidance of other assistant coaches to adjust some weaknesses. I will inform the Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission of the need to put the players in camp because we do not have any time to spare.
“I believe in the ability of the players and they will show other countries. My prayer is that the girls return with a medal after the African Games.”
